Otto von Bismarck

Unified Germany

Modern influential 108 sayings

Sayings by Otto von Bismarck

People never lie so much as after a hunt, during a war or before an election.

Unknown, 19th century — General observation on human nature
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Never believe anything in politics until it has been officially denied.

Unknown, 19th century — Cynical observation on politics
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Never fight with Russian. On your every stratagem they answer unpredictable stupidity.

Unknown, 19th century — Advice on dealing with Russia
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Never fight with Russian. On your every stratagem they answer unpredictable stupidity.

Unknown, 19th century — Advice on dealing with Russia
Strange & Unusual Disputed

Do not expect that once taking advantage of Russia's weakness, you will receive dividends forever. Russian has always come for their money. And when they come - do not rely on an agreement signed by you, you are supposed to justify. They are not worth the paper it is written. Therefore, with the Russian is to play fair, or do not play.

Unknown, 19th century — Extensive advice on dealing with Russia
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Do not expect that once taking advantage of Russia's weakness, you will receive dividends forever. Russian has always come for their money. And when they come - do not rely on an agreement signed by you, you are supposed to justify. They are not worth the paper it is written. Therefore, with the Russian is to play fair, or do not play.

Unknown, 19th century — Extensive advice on dealing with Russia
Strange & Unusual Disputed

A bad plan that is well executed will yield much better results than a good plan that is poorly executed.

Unknown, 19th century — Observation on strategy and execution
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

A bad plan that is well executed will yield much better results than a good plan that is poorly executed.

Unknown, 19th century — Observation on strategy and execution
Strange & Unusual Disputed

It is the destiny of the weak to be devoured by the strong.

Unknown, 19th century — Harsh observation on power dynamics
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

It is the destiny of the weak to be devoured by the strong.

Unknown, 19th century — Harsh observation on power dynamics
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

With bad laws and good civil servants it's still possible to govern. But with bad civil servants even the best laws can't help.

Unknown, 19th century — Observation on governance and administration
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

With bad laws and good civil servants it's still possible to govern. But with bad civil servants even the best laws can't help.

Unknown, 19th century — Observation on governance and administration
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Anyone who has ever looked into the glazed eyes of a soldier dying on the battlefield will think hard before starting a war.

Unknown, 19th century — Reflection on the horrors of war
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Preventive war is like committing suicide out of fear of death.

Unknown, 19th century — Observation on the nature of preventive war
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others.

Unknown, 19th century — General wisdom, often attributed
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Not through speeches and majority decisions will the great questions of the day be settled - that was the great mistake of 1848 and 1849 - but by iron and blood.

1862 — Speech to the Budget Commission of the Prussian Diet
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

What we learn from History is that no one learns from History.

Unknown, 19th century — Cynical observation on historical lessons
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

What we learn from History is that no one learns from History.

Unknown, 19th century — Cynical observation on historical lessons
Strange & Unusual Disputed

The Americans are a very lucky people. They're bordered to the north and south by weak neighbours, and to the east and west by fish.

Unknown, 19th century — Humorous and dismissive observation about the United States
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The Americans are a very lucky people. They're bordered to the north and south by weak neighbours, and to the east and west by fish.

Unknown, 19th century — Humorous and dismissive observation about the United States
Strange & Unusual Confirmed